The Town Council is considering a $71.3 million operating budget for the year that begins Oct. 1 – a $4 million jump over this year’s spending plan.

At the town budget meeting, Ned Barnes, President of the Civic Association, told the council, “The Civic Association would be concerned about any proposal to increase taxes in the Town’s 2015-2016 budget. Spending levels tend to creep up when the economy is doing well. It would be a mistake for us to return to the old days of inflated budgets and unnecessary expenditures just because funds are available.”

Increases in the budget are because of a $2.5 million increase for shore protection, $800 thousand for addition pension costs, creating 3.5 new employee positions, and more.